Balka, E., Krueger, G., Holmes, B.J., & Stephen, J. E. (2010) Situating internet use: Information-seeking among young women with breast cancer. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 15(3): 389-411.
This article gives insight into breast cancer patients and their quest for information from the Internet. The study found that while online sources may seem very useful, many women chose not to use it because of the vast amount of resources and skepticism in regards to information being accurate. They did find, however, that women tended to use information for practical as well as emotional purposes.
Czaja, R., Manfredi, C. & Price, J. (2003). The determinants and consequences of information seeking among cancer patients. Journal of Health Communication, 8: 529-563.
This article examined the process of information seeking that patients with cancer undergo. It gave examples of why patients find information, how they find information, and the results of this process. It found that individual evaluation must be given in order to best meet the needs of each patient.
Garcia-Cosavalente, H.P., Wood, L.E. & Obregon, R. (2010). Health information seeking behavior among rural and urban Peruvians: Variations in information resource access and preferences. Information Development, 26(1): 37-45.
The behavior of health information seeking was compared between urban and rural Peruvians finding that those living in urban settings were more likely to be active seekers utilizing the internet. Implications of adequate health care is discussed.
Granovetter, M.S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. The American Journal of Sociology, 78(6): 1360-1380.
This study analyzes social networks and and stresses the impact that social structure has on individuals.
Hesse, B.W., Nelson, D.E., Kreps, G.L., Croyle, R.T., Arora, N.K., Rimer, B.K., & Viswanath, K. (2005). Trust and sources of health information: The impact of the internet and its implications for health care providers. ARCH INTERN MED, 165: 2618-2614.
Because of recent technological advances, medical information is easily available through internet sources. This study showed the shift in the role that physicians play in regards to patients and information. They found that it is extremely important that health care professionals are trusted by their patients and encouraged to be a part of the medical process.
Keane, E. (2009). Evaluating consumer health information: What fails to harm us makes us smarter. The Reference Librarian, 50: 178-192.
This study discusses the role of the librarian in assisting seekers of medical information and debates the value of health information on the internet.
Kovacs, D. (2004). Why develop web-based health information workshops for consumers?. Library Trends, 53(2): 348-359.
This article discusses the potential for web-based instruction for patrons as a means of promoting library services and raising patient awareness of high-quality health information.
This website promotes the efforts to make health information and chronic health concern observations available to patients and caregivers using mobile device technology.
Moore, N. (2002). A model of social information. Journal of Information Science, 28(4): 297-303.
A multidimensional model of the need for social information is discussed in detail.
Niederdeppe, J., Frosch, D., & Hornik, R. (2008). Cancer news coverage and information seeking. Journal of Health Communications, 13: 181-199.
This article shows a study that investigated the role that media plays in the information seeking process. After a concentration of cancer news, researchers found that many people will seek additional information regarding a certain sickness. The media is a powerful tool in the medical information seeking process.
Olatokun, W.M. & Ajagbe, E. (2010). Analyzing traditional medical practitioners’ information-seeking behavior using Taylor’s information-use environment model. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 42(2): 122-135.
“The main focus of this study was to investigate the nature and characteristics of information used as well as information-seeking behaviour of traditional medical practitioners in the treatment of sickle cell anaemia based on Taylor’s (1991) information-use environment model” (pg. 132).
Robins, D., Holmes, J. & Stansbury, M. (2010). Consumer health information on the web: The relationship of visual design and perceptions of credibility. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 61(1): 13-29.
“This study is an examination of the relationship of people’s visual design preferences to judgments of credibility of information on consumer health information sites” (pg.13).
Stewart, D. (2009). Socialized medicine: How personal health records and social networks are changing healthcare. EContent Magazine, 32(7): 30-34.
This article discusses the changing nature of personal health information and discusses the pros and cons of Personal Health Records and social networking as it relates to medical information.
Yen, S. (2010). Reputable but inaccurate: Reproductive health information for adolescents on the web. Knowledge Quest, 38(3): 62-5.
This article highlights the importance of evaluating health information sources on the internet for accuracy.
Annotated Bibliography
Balka, E., Krueger, G., Holmes, B.J., & Stephen, J. E. (2010) Situating internet use: Information-seeking among young women with breast cancer. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 15(3): 389-411.
This article gives insight into breast cancer patients and their quest for information from the Internet. The study found that while online sources may seem very useful, many women chose not to use it because of the vast amount of resources and skepticism in regards to information being accurate. They did find, however, that women tended to use information for practical as well as emotional purposes.
Czaja, R., Manfredi, C. & Price, J. (2003). The determinants and consequences of information seeking among cancer patients. Journal of Health Communication, 8: 529-563.
This article examined the process of information seeking that patients with cancer undergo. It gave examples of why patients find information, how they find information, and the results of this process. It found that individual evaluation must be given in order to best meet the needs of each patient.
Garcia-Cosavalente, H.P., Wood, L.E. & Obregon, R. (2010). Health information seeking behavior among rural and urban Peruvians: Variations in information resource access and preferences. Information Development, 26(1): 37-45.
The behavior of health information seeking was compared between urban and rural Peruvians finding that those living in urban settings were more likely to be active seekers utilizing the internet. Implications of adequate health care is discussed.
Granovetter, M.S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. The American Journal of Sociology, 78(6): 1360-1380.
This study analyzes social networks and and stresses the impact that social structure has on individuals.
Hesse, B.W., Nelson, D.E., Kreps, G.L., Croyle, R.T., Arora, N.K., Rimer, B.K., & Viswanath, K. (2005). Trust and sources of health information: The impact of the internet and its implications for health care providers. ARCH INTERN MED, 165: 2618-2614.
Because of recent technological advances, medical information is easily available through internet sources. This study showed the shift in the role that physicians play in regards to patients and information. They found that it is extremely important that health care professionals are trusted by their patients and encouraged to be a part of the medical process.
Keane, E. (2009). Evaluating consumer health information: What fails to harm us makes us smarter. The Reference Librarian, 50: 178-192.
This study discusses the role of the librarian in assisting seekers of medical information and debates the value of health information on the internet.
Kovacs, D. (2004). Why develop web-based health information workshops for consumers?. Library Trends, 53(2): 348-359.
This article discusses the potential for web-based instruction for patrons as a means of promoting library services and raising patient awareness of high-quality health information.
mHealth Initiative Vision Statement (nd), http://www.mobih.org/.
This website promotes the efforts to make health information and chronic health concern observations available to patients and caregivers using mobile device technology.Moore, N. (2002). A model of social information. Journal of Information Science, 28(4): 297-303.
A multidimensional model of the need for social information is discussed in detail.
Niederdeppe, J., Frosch, D., & Hornik, R. (2008). Cancer news coverage and information seeking. Journal of Health Communications, 13: 181-199.
This article shows a study that investigated the role that media plays in the information seeking process. After a concentration of cancer news, researchers found that many people will seek additional information regarding a certain sickness. The media is a powerful tool in the medical information seeking process.
Olatokun, W.M. & Ajagbe, E. (2010). Analyzing traditional medical practitioners’ information-seeking behavior using Taylor’s information-use environment model. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 42(2): 122-135.
“The main focus of this study was to investigate the nature and characteristics of information used as well as information-seeking behaviour of traditional medical practitioners in the treatment of sickle cell anaemia based on Taylor’s (1991) information-use environment model” (pg. 132).
Robins, D., Holmes, J. & Stansbury, M. (2010). Consumer health information on the web: The relationship of visual design and perceptions of credibility. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 61(1): 13-29.
“This study is an examination of the relationship of people’s visual design preferences to judgments of credibility of information on consumer health information sites” (pg.13).
Stewart, D. (2009). Socialized medicine: How personal health records and social networks are changing healthcare. EContent Magazine, 32(7): 30-34.
This article discusses the changing nature of personal health information and discusses the pros and cons of Personal Health Records and social networking as it relates to medical information.
Yen, S. (2010). Reputable but inaccurate: Reproductive health information for adolescents on the web. Knowledge Quest, 38(3): 62-5.
This article highlights the importance of evaluating health information sources on the internet for accuracy.